Member-only story
A Week in the Shadow of the COVID-19 Coronavirus – Part 3
Cabin fever in uncertain times
Hitherto a couple of days ago, I had been enjoying lockdown.
The burden of meet-ups and catch-ups, gone. The relentless pressure to book and perform stand up comedy, evaporated. My sudden lack of commute and the fact that I hadn’t ironed a shirt in a number of weeks, reasons to celebrate.
It had been a refreshing break.
But now cabin fever is setting in, and my mind is going to places I didn’t expect.
I’ve begun to fantasise about pubs, clubs and parties. I’ve started to feel nostalgic for nipping into town on the train, going to see a band with my mates or just shopping for anything that isn’t food.
My wife said it’s best I don’t see outside. The supermarkets are full of people wearing masks, they have markers on the floor where to stand and they’ve erected giant screens to separate customers from checkout staff. It sounds dystopian.
My friend turned 40 yesterday, stuck in his one bed flat in Dubai, rather than in the Seychelles as planned. Everyone who has a big birthday this year is going to be disappointed.
Almost every scene in film is now a reminder of the freedom that this virus has taken away, as characters mix…
